Jaipur: Parks will remain open for extra time for joggers, walkers

JAIPUR: On the demand of residents, the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has increased the timings to open city parks under its jurisdiction.
Now, the parks will be open for five hours in the morning and four hours in the evening. Officials believe if the parks are opened for lesser duration, there would be greater possibilities of crowding.
A senior JDA official said, “People can now walk in different slots. As parks were open for short duration, many people were reaching at same time. We also received requests from the residents to open it for more time. A decision has been taken to open the park between 5am and 10am in morning. Similarly, joggers and walkers will be allowed between 4pm and 6.45pm.”
Earlier, parks were open for three hours in the morning and 2.45 hours in the evening. The JDA has issued guidelines that assembling of more than five people is prohibited in parks.
For visitors, the JDA has made it mandatory to wear masks and follow Covid-related health protocol such as social distancing. Open gym equipment, swings and group yoga or exercise sessions are prohibited. A penalty will be imposed by guards on those who will not adhere to the norms. “We have also requested the residents to follow the rules voluntarily for their own safety as the authorities do not have enough staff to keep strict vigil on everyone,” said an official.
Residents in the city were requesting the civic bodies to open the park as people need fresh air and exercising to maintain immunity. However, authorities fear people in large numbers, including old citizens and children below 10, will reach these parks. “There is no announcement on restriction of age from our side. Moreover, the JDA cannot do a thermal scanning of people. Also it cannot deploy guards to enforce social distancing. Users will have to impose self-restriction for their own good,” said an official.